The Moment I Met You (Chapter 579)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

'Chioma, you look like a princess from a royal family. I'm sure everyone will admire you today,' Sharon said on the way to Jimmy carter Street.

'Huh?' Chioma didn't quite understand.

'What am trying to say is, you’ll be admired by anyone who saw you,' Sharon said as the car stopped at a red light. 'If you pursue a career in film and television, you will be likable.'

'I don't want to enter film and entertainment industry...'

'Maybe, you can consider my offer?'

'Let's put that aside for now...'

Sharon smiled but said nothing as she focused on the road that had turned green.

Chioma looked at the dress she was wearing and smiled as she said, 'I am not as beautiful as you, Sharon...you have a strong presence like a queen and have enjoyed many years of luxury. Even if am to compare myself with him just because I am in your car, I don't stand a chance with you. You always look dazzling and held your head high in confidence... '

 Sharon's lips curved upward into a smile without saying another word as she drove the car heading for Star Restaurant.

'Your boyfriend is heartless to people. He only acts like a normal human being when he is around you,' Sharon teased Chioma after a moment of silence.

Chioma turned and looked at Sharon. 'I have a feeling that you're hiding something from me.'

'How can I tell you about it?' Sharon laughed as they pulled onto Jimmy carter Street, which was luxuriously decorated by a team of international decorators Michael had hired to decorate the street.

Chioma was surprised at the extremely lavish decorations from the entrance of the street and as Sharon drove on she couldn’t help wonder what could be going on. Everywhere was sparkling with radiance. A soothing gentle love song was filling the air, causing people's heart to melt at the sound of the sweet voice. Sumptuous desserts and fruits were displayed orderly at the different sides of the street with several servers in smart uniforms walking amongst the guests.

KFC limited edition lotion was being gifted to everyone that was seen here in Jimmy Carter Street and also box of crispy fried chicken was distributed as well to everyone present in a delicate box. Today smelled delicious.

Seeing how magical the street had transformed into, Chioma wondered if she was in a dreamland or in a kind of illusion. She saw people gorgeously dressed. Turning to Sharon, Chioma asked, 'What's happening?'

'Let's say surprises in movies is about to be revealed here in Jimmy Carter Street.' Sharon couldn't help but chuckle.

'What is going on?' Chioma looked out the window at the lavish decoration, which was studded with stars.

'We'll see...'

Chioma glanced at Sharon and noticed the smile on her face. 'Anything you're not telling me?'

Sharon didn't answer. Instead she pulled the car at the parking spot. After parking the car, Sharon got off, glancing around she spotted Michael's 19 million dollars black Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

Meanwhile, as soon Michael saw Sharon, he got out of the car and headed for Sharon's car. He was quite aware that Chioma was in the passenger seat, so he walked to the passenger door and opened it.

Chioma was shocked to see him at the same time confused. 'What's going on?' She muttered, staring at Michael who was breathtaking in his Burgundy lapel handmade suit paired with a black vest on the inside. An undeniable air of Majesty radiated through him. He smelled of his unique scent. His smile was charming and irresistible. At this moment, Chioma noticed that she was wearing a dress that matched well with his suit.

Michael hooked his arm around her neck and placed a kiss on her lips. Chioma looked at him and smiled.

'I am beautiful today; do you want to sell me off?' Chioma couldn't help but ask as she buried herself in his arms and acted coquettishly.

'We have a long life ahead of us, I am sure there will be plenty of time to sell you off.' Michael's expression was softer only when he was with Chioma. He squeezed her hand gently and added, 'having this beautiful creature besides me and she will be with me for the rest of my life...Having almost lost you because of Jessica, I find you doubly precious...'

Then, she looked up and said something to him, her eyes full of smiles, soft and sweet, just watching from a distance made one feel warm from the bottom of their hearts.

At this moment, Sharon disappeared to change into a pine green, floor length gown, which she paired with a gold clutch and gold heels. The slim-fitting, lace dress made her look elegant and poised. As she elegantly walked inside the luxurious canopy, guests were chatting and holding wine glasses as the canopy resounded with soft pleasing music. The smartly dressed waiters and waitresses weaved their way around the gorgeously dressed guests as they balanced their serving trays.

When the guests saw Sharon walking inside and making her way towards Jessica, most of the famous-rich guests exchanged glances and gossips about Jessica and Chioma.

      

Although Jessica had patched things with Chioma, the guests couldn't help discussing the love rival that existed between the two. After all, their conversation wouldn't be an issue as long as they never brought back the past of hating Chioma.

'Tonight, even Jessica looked her best to attend this surprise party. If I were Jess, I would never attend this party. I won't be able to survive heartbreak.'

 'Hey, I still want Jessica for Michael even though I don't hate Chioma anymore...'

 'Between the two I would still pick Jessica,' Julia said. 'Because it's obvious that Jessica is more beautiful.' She picked up a glass of champagne from a waiter and sipped.

 Dana looked around and nodded her head. 'I've just noticed, why isn't Chioma here?'

'Michael wants her to appear as the most beautiful girl tonight.'

Meanwhile, some male guests were also in deep conversation, 'I really want to ask this question, do you guys still want Jessica for Michael? Jessica is always beautiful while Chioma will always remain plain looking...'

'Do you think beauty matters in love?'

'From a man's point of view, what attract us is nothing more but girls with curvy body and beautiful face...Chioma's only plain looking. After all, no one move about with X-ray to search for the inner beauty.'

 'True love conquers all. What President Michael has for Chioma is absolutely true love. Chioma might not be as beautiful as Jessica and Sharon, but she has a kind of sweet, loving face that's difficult to forget.'

'Quick look, I think Louisa and Andrew have arrived. I never believed in coincidence until I heard Louisa's story.'

Someone announced the arrival of Louisa and Andrew in a hush whisper until they appeared in their line of sight. Louisa was wearing a pale blue dress with nude heels and a small clutch. She styled the beautiful dress with her hair in a low chignon and pearl earrings. She had a slight makeup. Even though she was getting on in age, she still had a beautiful face that was alluring and had the strong presence of a queen even though she was a woman that had bathed in poverty for almost all her life.

Andrew on the other hand was dressed in a white suit and red tie and had sunshine like smile. He glanced around and when he saw Daniel he walked over there while Louisa walked over to Patricia and Isabelle.

 On the scene, there were quite a number of people that reacted to the sight of Louisa. Some stared at her in awe, while some, as they drank their icy cold wine, chatted about her beauty being the only reason why Edward fell in love with her but married Patricia instead because she had both beauty and money.

Louisa wasn't at all pleased with the way most people stared at her. She knew that a lot was going through their minds. But then, she wasn't here to worry about what anyone would think about her but rather to watch the surprise Michael was going to unravel for her daughter.

From the look in Nicholas and Edward's eyes, she could tell that they still felt something for her even though they were trying their best to conceal their feelings for her. Greeting them politely, she picked up a glass of wine from a waiter and began to sip.

At this same moment, a waiter walked up to Celine. 'Beautiful Princess, do I have the honour of offering you a glass of wine because your beauty enraptured my heart the moment I saw you.'

Hearing this familiar voice, Celine knowingly turned her head; it was precisely, Prince who stood behind the waiter that was holding a tray of glasses filled with Champagne.

Celine coquettishly rolled her eyes like a happy wife after picking up a glass of champagne. Smiling, she said, 'If you hadn't come to me, I'd have left you for someone else.'

'Then, you'll be glad to watch me cut off their heads,' Prince joked and Celine laughed.

Prince looked at her with a lovely smile. 'Little Celine, I will never leave you for anyone else.'

The waiter turned away to attend to Julia who waved at him. Picking up a glass of red wine from the tray, she sipped and said, 'I have scanned everywhere but can't find Chioma Chima. Is she afraid to appear in front of Jessica and battle it out on the same stage?' She scoffed. 'Jessica's beauty is publicly known as well as Chioma's ugly face.'

'Comparing one to another is unhealthy,' the waiter rebuked. He was an elderly man of about forty to fifty something years of age.

'Is that so?' Julia revealed a mockery expression, and then purposely asked, 'Does that mean that you prefer ugly women?'

The waiter grinned. 'My wife is more beautiful than you. I know you know.'

Emmanuella interrupted their conversation. 'Julia, you might not know of this, but this waiter has a very beautiful daughter.'

Julia creased her brows. 'Is there anything noteworthy about this?'

The waiter looked around the crowd, then said, 'You're not a child, as an older man, I really want to tell you to be a good girl just like Jessica has changed into...we don't want you to prolong this movie between Michael and Chioma. You might not like your ending...As my niece, even though you're hiding  from the world about knowing me, about us being a family, I want you to know that Nathan still won over Jessica, Chioma has Michael, Sharon is with her boyfriend, Audrey with Daniel, Celine with Prince, Andrew with Chisom...Felix can't marry you. He doesn't even know that someone like you exist in this world. So, if I were you, I will pray to GOD for my own man instead of wasting time discussing others.' The waiter spoke in a very clear voice even though he had spoken to her in a whisper.

A chill flashed in Julia's eyes as a disdainful smile surfaced on her lips.

On the other hand, Louisa and Patricia both wore sweet smiles. It seems they are eagerly awaiting the wedding of their son and daughter to become a family through marriage.

'What of your friend Bisi?' Isabelle asked Louisa with a smile. She was in a short-sleeved, sparkly blue dress, match pumps and glossy wavy hair.

 'She couldn't make it, ' Louisa replied with a smile.

  'What was the reason?' Edward's voice instantly had a soft tone; his charming eyes glanced at Louisa lovely. 'You could have convinced her to come.’

 'I don't see the reason why I should convince her to come, knowing that this is nothing but a surprise party, not even a wedding.'

'Louisa is right,' Patricia said with a sweet smile. 'This is just a surprise party for Chioma, not the actual wedding.'

‘I think Michael would announce his wedding date today,’ Isabelle said hopefully as she sipped her wine. She was wearing a blue, balloon sleeves gown, a diamond tiara and diamond earrings. She paired her outfit with a small white clutch and white high-heels. She had an exquisite face, which was pleasing to behold.

Right at the moment when Nicholas was to speak, the scream of excitement at the entrance made him stop the words in his mouth. Everyone turned to see Michael and Felix gracefully make grand appearance. They were glamorously dressed, and looked super handsome.

'They are my cute brothers,' Celine said to Catherine with a smile, then she said to Prince, 'I wonder what could be taking Chioma so long to appear. I can't wait to see her.' She held onto Prince's elbow and stuck her body to it, revealing a charming smile. 'I wish for my brother to love Catherine,' she whispered.

Prince couldn't help but smile as he caressed her exquisite face. Then, he kissed her forehead, causing Celine to blush.

'Hey, everyone is watching.'

Prince laughed lightly.

A moment later, everybody turned to look at the entrance at the same time. Seeing the person who strutted onto the red carpet, they were all stunned. Even Sharon who had brought this person here was also shocked with the total transformation.

What appeared was Chioma Chima, wearing her pink ball gown as the hem of her diamond studded gown dragged behind her. On her beautiful feet was an elegant high heels designed from real gold and embellished with 15 - carat flawless diamonds. Each shoe has 59 small round diamonds placed all around it. The pair of shoes has 118 small round diamonds.

This Jada Dubai and passion jewellers diamonds was one of a kind. Michael had bought these most expensive shoes in the world for a price tag of Seventeen million dollars.

Her hair was arranged like a princess' hairstyle and she wore a princess crown with diamonds embedded. It was obvious that she gave off a feeling similar to Princess Diana. On her earlobe hung drop diamond earrings, also on the exposed part of her chest lay a diamond necklace. Her makeup was delicate but simple. The gown on her was magnificent.

With every step she took, she maintained a bashful yet confident smile as she walked towards the centre to stop in front of Michael.

Robert who was handsomely dressed in a white cocktail suit couldn't help but look at Chioma in awe. No woman was ugly, he could see that. He looked as Chioma turned to face Michael. In the eyes of everyone, Chioma was the luckiest girl in the world. Almost every young woman had tried winning over Michael, but only Chioma was able to succeed effortlessly. She went from being a lowly, slummy girl to Michael's woman.

Peter, who stood behind Robert in his black tailcoat, was convinced that Chioma was looking like a princess from a western fairy tale. After staring at her for a long time, Peter sighed and said, 'What a beautiful woman.'

Chioma was also surprised about everything happening. Standing in front of Michael and seeing her mother and brother, she knew that everything had been planned from the start. Everything here looked perfect and beautiful.

 So many reporters dressed gorgeously were all waiting in anticipation for the main reason for this. Chioma was indeed beautiful; everyone seemed to be in the same thought as they stared at her. The diamonds on her dress sparkled like little stars.

 'Oh my god! Chioma is really beautiful.'

 'I can confidently say that Chioma is the right one for Michael. Her ball gown fits her really well.'

 'Can you imagine how Chioma would look if she was born rich, she would definitely look graceful like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle or Michelle Obama.'

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Even Jessica felt that Chioma looked stunning tonight. She was simply the one meant for Michael.

Julia was speechless for a moment. All she could do was to open her mouth in shock. She wanted to speak but no words came out. Instead she kept staring at Chioma, for she had never seen her in such beauty. She was beautiful today.